"Captain Solok, may I walk with you?"
At the sound of his name, the Vulcan stopped and turned toward Admiral Ross who was lengthening his stride to catch up with him.
"Certainly, Admiral," Solok replied.
Though Ross had phrased it as a question, Solok had spent enough time around humans to know that the Admiral would be walking with him whether he wished it or not.
"I was on my way to meet with Captain Lochlan to discuss mission specifics," Solok volunteered. It wasn't exactly small talk, but in his experience most non Vulcans seemed to find prolonged silences uncomfortable. They also sometimes needed a moment of inane chatter to coax them into the topic they really wanted to discuss. Solok suspected that was the case here.
"Perfect," Ross said as they approached a turbolift at the end of the corridor. "I can always count on Vulcan efficiency."
The pair entered the empty turbolift. Solok took up a relaxed pose with his hands clasped loosely in front of him, index fingers and thumbs resting against each other and pointing down. Ross remained rather stiff.
"Deck 7," Solok instructed as dispassionately as Starfleet ships' computers sounded answering anything.
There was a moment's silence that was obviously more awkward for Ross than Solok.
He shifted from one foot to the other while flexing his hands open and closed. Rather unusual for the usually forthright, battle hardened flag officer.
"Is there something that concerns you, Admiral?" Solok asked.
The captain of the T'kumbra was curious, confused, and concerned all at once. This mission was certainly stressful and dangerous, but Ross had seen worse, certainly during the Dominion War.
"There is. I noticed you seemed rather… protective of Captain Lochlan during the mission briefing," Ross said.
This one didn't sound like a question and Solok pondered his response carefully. Denying any personal involvement when there was, no matter how early the stage was dishonest and could come back to haunt him if Ross came to know of it during the mission somehow. Somehow Solok didn't think Sisko would violate his privacy like that so it was likely Ross only suspected.
On the other hand, admitting any personal attachment to her could prompt Ross to remove him from certain aspects of the mission or the mission entirely which Solok absolutely didn't want.
The humans had another saying though.
Honesty is usually the best policy.
They had so many sayings. Most with more than a little truth to them, even the illogical ones.
Life isn't always logical though…," Solok reminded himself before answering his superior.
"Sadara and I are embarking on a… personal relationship though it is in the most early stages. What humans would consider the "first date" was supposed to take place this evening on Deep Space 9. Obviously our plans will have to be postponed until our mission is completed. Accomplishing that safely and successfully is our only concern until such time as that occurs."
"Computer, halt," Ross called.
The turbolift slowed to a stop, but Ross had already turned to Solok, his expression serious, but soft with empathy.
"Solok, please believe that I don't mean this to be insulting, but I have to know that you can send her into the lion's den if necessary. When it comes to professionalism and efficiency, there's no one better than a Vulcan, but I also know you have emotions under there just like the rest of us. If you think you might-"
Solok cut him off, his jaw clenched and his posture rigid. Barely bridled irritation flashed in his light blue eyes.
"I am capable of carrying out my duties without my… emotions affecting my judgment, sir," he ground out.
He fought the irritation down; tried to box it up and put a lid on it like he did the rest of his emotions. Ross was not wrong to ask. In fact, he was also doing his duty by clarifying an issue that could potentially affect the outcome of the mission.
"I'm sorry, captain," Ross said with genuine regret. "I had to ask. Nothing is harder than knowing someone we care for is in danger. We try to avoid it as much as possible, but it's natural to form relationships with others. It can't always be avoided."
"Unfortunately not," Solok agreed.
"Computer, resume," Ross said. He looked at Solok with a little smile. "And Solok?"
"Sir?"
"I wish you both the best. I hope it works out for you."
Solok inclined his head respectfully, somewhat surprised by the Admiral's well wishes. He was confused by that as that was a perfectly human thing to do and he really should have expected it. The Vulcan was grateful nonetheless. It was… pleasant to have support from others in this.
"As do I, sir."
The journey to Vulcan wouldn't take long, but Solok and Sadara had each been assigned guest quarters in anticipation that the mission might not begin until the following morning. Admiral Ross had made it crystal clear earlier that he wanted them as rested as possible going into this.
Hardly an issue for myself, Solok thought.
As a Vulcan, he had the stamina to endure lack of rest for weeks if necessary with little detriment to his physical and mental capabilities. And meditation that evening would help him achieve a restful sleep.
Sadara though… she's only half Vulcan. Does she have that same endurance?
Arriving at her quarters, he pressed the door chime.
"Come," she called loud enough to be clearly heard from the other side of the door, even by non Vulcans with weaker hearing.
His eyebrows furrowed, mystified. Surely she realized he would be able to hear her at a lower volume, but she was accustomed to accommodating more non Vulcan than Vulcan crew.
Force of habit likely, Solok figured.
The door slid open to reveal Lochlan setting dishes of food on the dining room table. She wore a long, flowing coral dress of Vulcan style with her brown hair caught up in a simple French twist.
Solok was curious what she looked like with her hair down as she seemed to favor it up. He imagined it was simply easier to function without it getting in her face all the time. He resolved to ask her at some point. For now it was hardly important.
His eyebrows immediately shot for his perfectly combed bangs and his nostrils flared in appreciation of the delightful aromas wafting from the room.
He entered the room, led by his nose and the sudden growling of his stomach.
"I thought we could at least have endmeal while we discuss mission details," she volunteered upon seeing his curious expression. "And if you dare regurgitate any of that ancient nonsense about "serving a man who is not hers" I'll remind you of your end game and send you off hungry. Understood?"
A mischievous smirk tugged at her full lips cluing Solok in that she was merely teasing him. She returned to the counter for the dish of Ra'jai and gently picked it up, supporting it with a thick potholder.
"It would be illogical to rudely refuse the graciousness and hospitality of one who has made my comfort a priority. Also, it is of… sound mind to ascertain if one's prospective mate is skilled in domestic areas."
Solok easily caught the oven mitt Lochlan playfully launched at him.
"I certainly hope you're not functioning as the Niners new pitcher," he drawled with a smirk.
"Just for that you can order your own drink. Replicator is right there, smartass."
She jerked her thumb over her left shoulder and set the hot main dish down on the table.
"Very well. What will you be having?"
Solok made the short way over to the replicator and looked back at her expectantly.
"Cranberry juice, please," she informed him.
"Very well."
After dinner, they adjourned to the living room with Lochlan ducking into the bedroom long enough to grab the Vulcan meditation robe she brought along. She lowered herself onto the couch, one leg tucked under the other, cradling her second glass of juice.
Solok settled himself in a chair across from her. He leaned back and laced his fingers in front of him, looking about as relaxed as Vulcans ever did.
The pair was silent for a few moments, each contemplating the nature of their mission. For a brief instant, Solok pondered what being Betazoid was like. How useful it would be to be able to read thoughts from a distance like from his chair to the couch where Lochlan sat staring into her half empty glass of cranberry juice, looking troubled.
Almost immediately though, he dismissed the thought. It was illogical to waste time wondering about an ability he did not possess; and even if he did Lochlan, being half Vulcan, would be able to shield her thoughts from him if she so wished. Even Betazoids couldn't penetrate a disciplined Vulcan's mental shields.
"I'm concerned that the Vulcan authorities have no reliable leads on where the VIM is taking their captives," Lochlan said suddenly, swirling the juice in her glass gently. "Starfleet isn't faring any better."
"It is concerning," Solok agreed gravely.
He watched as she set her glass down on the coffee table. Pushing herself to her feet, she wandered to a spot where she could stand in front of the window. She wrapped her arms around herself protectively as she stared out at the stars streaking past.
Solok would wager a decent sum of credits that Lochlan was missing her corgis right about now.
"Human instincts and intuition aren't always right. A lot of times they are though," she continued, gesturing with frustration. "I just can't help… feeling that we should prepare for something unexpected or unusual. Something we wouldn't expect on Vulcan or among Vulcans."
"The violence already displayed in the last week certainly fits that criteria," Solok pointed out in a condescending tone.
It earned him a withering look from his mission partner.
"Besides that! I mean the fact that no one can find these ass clowns," she clarified, sounding every bit as patronizing as she pointed out the window. "It's not like the Ferengi Embassy isn't sitting right there in Vulcana Regar. Maybe the VIM has some shady deals in motion with some equally shady people?"
Solok rose from his chair and slowly made his way over to the window with Lochlan, appearing to give her idea some serious thought.
Lochlan had a reputation in Starfleet of seeing the improbable in a situation and preparing for it. While more often than not, she was right, some of her peers and superiors were concerned it was less an uncanny ability and more an anxiety fueled tendency to catastrophize and over prepare.
"You are suggesting a cloaking device possibly?" He inquired after a moment. He suspected he was on the same page with her but wished to be certain.
"Possibly… I have to wonder… Or they've managed to hide out somewhere that sensors can't penetrate."
Solok shook his head, dismissing it abruptly.
"The VIM's goal is to evict all non Vulcans from our homeworld and convince our people to secede from the Federation. It would be illogical to work with the very aliens it hopes to banish," he reminded her.
Lochlan snorted.
"Are you kidding?" She scoffed. "It's the perfect smokescreen! Every logical mind on Vulcan is thinking exactly like you are and that's why we're not finding these bastards. Racism isn't rational. Isolationism isn't logical or practical. We're not dealing with rational, logical people here. And if you think for two seconds that people won't use tools made by their enemies to accomplish their objectives then you're in for a rude awakening, Solok."
Solok stared at Lochlan, eyes wide with surprise at the passion in her speech, but he couldn't deny that her argument had merit. It made sense in ways that non Vulcans could more easily see. Even behaviors lacking in logic could have predictable patterns.
And it would be illogical to not use all available resources to accomplish one's objective… Especially when one one didn't have numbers on their side. She saw a possibility my logic could not. It is no wonder that she is a decorated starship captain like myself. And Captain Sisko.
He wondered who the ringleader of the VIM was. Almost certainly there was one, but Admiral Ross had no such information at the earlier briefing.
Offering her the ozh'esta, he attempted to reassure her that all would be well. The touch of her mind when she touched her fingers to his soothed his own katra, lonely as it was.
"Your idea has merit," he said, inwardly delighted at the shock that appeared on her face. "We should suggest it to Admiral Ross immediately. We will discuss the remaining details afterwards."
"Well color me surprised…," she mumbled sarcastically.
Solok led the way out of the guest quarters with Lochlan hot on his heels.